Curling fever thanks to @TeamBradJacobs!

It's been an exciting few weeks in our household. As I mentioned in an earlier post we've been watching a lot of curling over the winter, which for me is not unusual, but its the first winter that my big boy has also taken more notice of my love for the sport.

We watched Rachel Homan's run to the top of the Canadian podium and the a short week later, we tuned in faithfully to TSN's coverage of the Tim Horton's Brier to see Northern Ontario and Team Brad Jacobs put on a stellar performance to win the Canadian championship. 

Growing up just outside of Sault Ste. Marie, it is only natural that my support goes to Team Northern Ontario. In the last few Briers its been fun to watch Team Jacobs evolve and improve and advance themselves into this year's Brier final.  It was truly a lot of fun to watch the curling coverage all season long and see a range of difficult shots executed under tremendous pressure.

While my boys have always been around when curling is on the TV, I was overjoyed to hear my smart kindergartener asking lots of questions this year about the game.

'How come they have brooms, how come that guy holds his broom like that, how can she move like that on her shoes, how come they kicked the rocks'.

These questions were exciting to answer and I have to say by the end of the Tim Horton's Brier and Team Northern Ontario's reign, I would say we definitely have a future curler on our hands. E was pumped when I brought out my brooms to demonstrate the sweeping and the boys got right into it with their 'hurry haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaard' and 'dig boys, dig dig dig' impressions.

It was a great couple of weeks watching the boys from the Soo work so hard to win the Brier and then to see them bring home a silver medal from Worlds was the icing on the cake. I truly admire their work ethic and commitment to the game of curling. I know they are still young and have many years ahead of them, but as a parent of future curling enthusiasts, I am so excited for the future of this game. Its great to know that there are excellent role models involved in the sport that my boys will grow up learning about and striving to be like - so thank you for all the fun this winter Team Jacobs - Team Northern Ontario - Team Canada.

A note from Grandma!

I was going through a box of old things one night two weeks ago and came across a hand written letter from my Grandmother.  I read it on my bed, and then moments later I cried... not because it was sad but just because I really do miss her.  Reading this letter actually made me laugh out loud because I can hear her humour in the letter, and it brings me right back to her living room, sitting in her rocking chair and visiting with her over tea.

It was one of those moments as an adult that you just have, you have a little tear, your thankful to have had it and then you move on... or so I thought.

The next night I went to the grocery store and as I was rushing around the store to get my groceries before the place closed, my cart clipped a display of pastry type things and a box fell out in front of my cart. I thought it was a total accident, but when I went to picked them up, it was these....

Now - to most, these aren't anything too special, but to me they are a childhood memory that I will never forget.  My grandmother use to offer me these while visiting at her house.  For the longest time my Mom never bought them when I was young, so this treat was only something I got by visiting Grandma. The sponge cake, mixed with chocolate and the taste of caramel - it was the best, and seeing this box in front of my cart brought a smile to my face.

It was when I was driving home from the grocery store that I realized that same day was the anniversary of my grandmother's death. Can you believe that? I may have been watching one too many 'Long Island Medium' episodes, but I really do believe that my Grandma was trying to get my attention that day and I got the message loud and clear.

The two days of little triggers were a gentle reminder of what a special lady she was to me.  The truth is I often don't need a reminder to prompt me to think about her as I do it almost every day, and even more often now that I have kids of my own. She was a wonderful grandmother to me and would have been an awesome Great-Grandma to my boys... not a day goes by that I don't try to share my memories of her with my boys as they truly are moments I cherish.

Thank you Grandma for the little reminder that you're still with me each and every day.

I love you.